Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT): Copolymer Templates - A Self-Assembling Route to High-Density Arrays of Functional Nanostructures

该纳米级跨学科研究团队(NIRT)计划开发强大的路线，使用来自两嵌段共聚物薄膜的纳米孔模板来生产高密度的功能纳米结构阵列。所使用的两嵌段共聚物薄膜具有垂直于薄膜表面的自组装圆柱形微区，圆柱体密度超过1.0×10^12/in^2。次要聚合物嵌段的选择性降解和主要嵌段的交联会导致聚合物薄膜具有高密度的纳米孔阵列，作为制备纳米结构功能阵列的模板。该项目将通过开发出孔径从纳米到数百纳米的方法来扩大这一简单过程的潜力。这项研究将推进这些模板的使用，以生产纳米结构的功能阵列。这包括使用模板孔中的金属电沉积来制造用于磁存储应用的超高密度磁性纳米线阵列。纳米孔阵列可以使用电子束光刻进行横向图案化，以创建磁性纳米线和纳米粒子电子传输研究。纳米孔阵列还将被用作电化学纳米电极阵列，作为硅技术的反应离子刻蚀掩膜，并用于生产玻璃纳米柱。该项目提供了几个独特的教育机会，包括REU、RET、跨部门纳米科学课程、每两周一次的跨学科会议，以及基于交互式数字视频的技术培训计划。该项目融合了学术界和工业部门的努力，以及国家实验室和国际组织的合作。

This Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT) project it to develop robust routes to produce high-density arrays of functional nanoscopic structures using nanoporous templates derived from diblock copolymer thin films. The diblock copolymer films used possess self-assembled cylindrical microdomains oriented normal to the surface of the film, with cylinder densities in excess of 1.0 x 10^12 /in^2. Selective degradation of the minor polymer block and cross-linking of the major block results in a polymer film having a high-density array of nanopores that serves as a template for the fabrication of functional arrays of nanoscopic structures. The project will expand the potential of this simple process by developing methods that give pore diameters ranging from the nanometer to the hundreds of nanometers. The research will advance the use of these templates to produce functional arrays of nanoscopic structures. This includes the use of metal electrodeposition in the template pores to produce ultrahigh-density arrays of magnetic nanowires for magnetic storage applications. The nanopore array can be patterned laterally using electron-beam lithography, to create magnetic nanowires and nanoparticle electron-transport studies. The nanoporous arrays will also be used as electrochemical nanoelectrode arrays, as reactive-ion-etching masks for silicon technology, and to produce glass nanopillars. The project provides several unique educational opportunities including REU, RET, an interdepartmental nanoscience course, biweekly interdisciplinary meetings, and a technology-training program based on interactive digital video. This project integrates efforts from the academic and industrial sectors, with collaborations from national laboratories and international groups.